Sunnyside to offer probation services

The Sunnyside City Council Monday night approved an agreement to offer Yakima County Probation Department services through the Sunnyside Municipal Court for adult offenders.

Sunnyside City Manager Bob Stockwell said the city has been working with the Yakima County Probation Department to offer the service in the community.

"There is no cost to the city," said Stockwell.

The cost for the salary of the probation officer will end up being paid for by the fees collected from the offenders, said Stockwell.

In a written report to Council, Stockwell detailed how the city's municipal court, which has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and traffic infractions, has been in charge of reviewing whether a defendant is in compliance with the imposed sentence. This could vary from making sure a defendant is seeking treatment or performing mandated community service, wrote Stockwell.

By contracting with Yakima County Probation, the time spent by the Sunnyside Municipal Court will be a lot more efficient, as the probation officer would oversee if a defendant is fulfilling the imposed sentence.

Under the agreement, the city would provide the county with a work space at the Sunnyside Law and Justice Center for the probation officer two days per week. The city already provides a work station for the Yakima County Juvenile Probation Department, said Stockwell.

The city or the county can terminate the contract for any reason with 60 days written notice.